Today is President Monson’s 90th birthday. Tonight we will be holding our Family Home Evening in his honor. We will talk a little bit about his life, and review his teachings from General Conference in recent years. Here are some of the highlights:

Recent Teachings of President Thomas S. Monson

April 2017

“If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so.”

“I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will in a position hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives.”

October 2016

“We are blessed to have the truth. We have a mandate to share the truth. Let us live the truth.”

“This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

“I testify of the great gift which is our Father’s plan for us. It is the one perfect path to peace and happiness both here and in the world to come.”

April 2016

“If we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice.”

“May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.”

Oct 2015

“We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see.” (see 1 Timothy 4:12)

“As we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions.”

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt 5:16)

April 2015

“As we attend the temple, there can come to us a dimension of spirituality and a feeling of peace.”

“The blessings of the temple are priceless”

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

October 2014

“Ponder the path of thy feet” (Proverbs 14:26).

“The Savior’s example provides a framework for everything that we do, and His words provide an unfailing guide. His path will take us safely home.”

April 2014 GC

“Love is the very essence of the gospel, and Jesus Christ is our Exemplar.”

“Love should be the very heart of family life.”

“As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way.”

I love to read good books, and I love to find good books for my family and friends to read. My project this month has been to compile my favorite book lists for all ages. You can view any booklist that you are interested in by clicking the links below. Happy reading!

I have been posting a lot of book lists recently, and now it is finally time to share my favorites! These are the books that I have enjoyed reading in the last few years. Be sure to check out my non-fiction reading list here. The books at the top of the list would be classed as juvenile or young adult fiction and would be appropriate for some younger readers as well as adults.

This is list of the chapter books that we have read and enjoyed at our house. These books have been read by at least one or both of my two daughters (age 12 and age 9). I have tried to group them by grade level, but the levels are flexible. I have read and enjoyed many of these books (my favorites are marked with a *). Many of these books would make great family read alouds.

These books are great for children who are getting comfortable with reading and are ready to stretch to longer novels, generally in first and second grade (but the ages are not set in stone!). These also make great family read-aloud books. My favorites are marked with a *.

*Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne (50 plus book series)

A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy (26 book series). Also try Calendar Mysteries and Capital Mysteries.

*My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannet (3 book series).

The Dragon Sitter by Josh Lacey (8 book series).

The Yeti Files by Kevin Sherry (3 book series).

Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows (10 book series)

Rainbow Fairies by Daisy Meadows (100 plus book series)

*The Sisters 8 by Lauren Baratz-Logsted (9 book series)

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (150 plus book series)

These authors have written a number of picture books for children that are fantastic. I could fill up a favorites list with just the books from these authors!

Mo Willems: His books are laugh-out-loud funny and just fun to read!

All of his Pigeon books (The Pigeon Wants a Hot Dog); Elephant and Piggie series; Knuffle Bunny trilogy; The Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed; Leonardo the Terrible Monster; and others.

David Ezra Stein: True to life stories with great illustrations!

Interrupting Chicken; Pouch; Leaves; Dinosaur Kisses; and others.

Kevin Henkes: Sweet, timeless stories full of life lessons.

Kitten’s First Full Moon; Waiting; Penny series; and any of the mouse books (Chrysanthemum, Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Wemberly Worried, Sheila Rae the Brave, and others).

Eric Carle: Artwork that appeals to readers of all ages.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? (and other books co-written with Bill Martin); 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo; The Very Hungry Caterpillar; Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me; Little Cloud; From Head to Toe; and others.

Reading with my children is one of my favorite things to do. For this list I choose 50 of our very favorite picture books. Many of these books are laugh-out-loud-funny, many share important messages, and all are beautifully and creatively illustrated. This is Part 2 of my list, covering titles from J to Z. You can find Part 1 (A-I) here. Many of the authors listed here have also written other fantastic books, so this list can launch you into more great literature!

Reading with my children is one of my favorite things to do. For this list I choose 50 of our very favorite picture books. Many of these books are laugh-out-loud-funny, many share important messages, and all are beautifully and creatively illustrated. This is part one of my list, covering titles from A to I. You can find Part 2 (J-Z) here. Many of the authors listed here have also written other fantastic books, so this list can launch you into more great literature!

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

AlphaOops! The Day Z Went First by Alethea Kontis

Bark George by Jules Feiffer

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

The Book that Eats People by John Perry

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin

Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Conner

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

Froodle by Antoinette Portis

George and Martha by James Marshall

Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara

Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae

Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett JohnsonInterrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein